Garrapata State Park

Phone Number

(831) 624-4909

Park Hours

8 AM – ½ Hour After Sunset

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs allowed on the beach at Gate 19 (south end of the park) and trails leading to it. Dogs not allowed in all other areas.

Driving Directions to Garrapata SP

The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur).

Online reservations are not available for this park.

TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Fishing
Guided Tours
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs

ABOUT GARRAPATA STATE PARK

Garrapata State Park has two miles of beach front, with coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federal marine protected area. The park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration.


Location-Directions
The park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur).

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.

SOBERANES CANYON TRAIL

The popular Soberanes Canyon Trail partially reopened on Saturday, April 14, 2018, following previoius fire damage and closures.

It is now open exclusively from the main, gated trailhead on the east side of Highway 1, across from Gate 8 of the Garrapata Coastal Trail.
Visitors are able to hike to the back of the canyon along the 1.25 mile length of the trail.

Plan on an out and back hike as the Rocky Ridge portion of the trail is closed due to hazardous conditions.

BIG SUR AREA - WHAT'S OPEN UPDATE 08-02-2021

For all Big Sur Area State Parks, please visit the individual park unit websites for detailed information aout what is open, camping reservations and more!

Find links for park units here: http://cm.parks.ca.gov/Page/Edit/21284

DOGS

There is limited access for dogs on leash at the Garrapata State Park beach area:

Dogs on leash are ONLY are allowed on the beach at Gate 19 (south end of park) and on the trails leading to it.

Dogs are NOT allowed in all other areas, including across Hwy 1 in the Soberanes Canyon Trail area.

Marine Protected Area Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida - Libro Para Colorear

Embark on a journey of discovery about Marine protection in a fun and easy way!!

MPAThe Marine Protected Areas Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida -  Libro Para Colorear - helps students of all ages learn about the rich diversity of plant and animal life found in California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The book includes three new 3D augmented reality coloring pages that will allow students to interact with their colorings using a smartphone or tablet while learning about marine life and California's marine protected areas. 

 

Download the new marine protected area (MPA) coloring book along with the California Coastal Explorer Guide at: https://www.mpacollaborative.org/kids/